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De'Shawn Washington almost became an accountant, having initially chosen a career path in finance and business. But once he started working with young students as a college student, he followed a passion for teaching and public education. Now all of Massachusetts is taking notice.
Washington, who has taught for seven years, recently was named the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. He is the first Black male educator named to that honor since the awards began. A teacher of fourth grade students at Maria Hastings Elementary School, Washington spoke recently with MTA Today about the recognition and the power of supportive colleagues. He is a member of the Lexington Education Association.
"It’s all about the passion, right? Teaching is a calling. I’m very fortunate to be in education and be in this work today."
Like many new teachers, he didn’t start out great; he had a rocky first year. After starting in Boston and then taking a position in Lexington, he grew professionally with the help of mentors and collaboration with peers. "You have to learn through experience," said Washington, 32. "I was very fortunate to receive wise counsel, exemplars, people coming in and modeling: What it means to do an open circle. How to run a morning meeting and how to incorporate games into your morning meeting. How to do check-ins over the course of the day, to ensure kids are doing well and having a good time in your class. Having a ‘Scholar of the Day’ in your classroom, where you can celebrate students and their achievements over the course of the day."
A graduate of UMass Boston with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degrees in special education and elementary education, Washington now is pursuing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University. His scholarship focus is on how to incorporate community into a classroom.
In Lexington, he balances the demands of the job with help from supportive union colleagues. It’s important for teachers to be able to count on fellow educators, Washington said, even as they gain more experience. It’s important to know when you need to ask for help. And veteran educators need to look out for new teachers. "The type of support shifts, but you need support regardless. This is not a one-person job."
The rarity in education for children being taught by a Black male educator in an elementary school is something he thinks about. It’s important for children to see Black males in these leadership roles.
"It starts with having the Black students in the classroom seeing their future selves as an older person, as a teacher, in a classroom. Then there’s the impact of the lived experience, what you share with your colleagues and your grade-level team and your district. You come in with another lens on lived experience.
"Being a Black male in an elementary class allows kids to see Black men in leadership – kids seeing Black men in opportunities for empowering, inspiring and learning. It shifts what you see on the outside, or what might be seen on TV, versus what you see in front of you."
For an in-depth video interview of Washington, please visit massteacher.org/2024TOY.
